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Monthly Archives: November 2011

I have found myself thinking and seeing in moving images, with soundtracks playing alongside. A book, a passing scene through the windscreen, and song played on repeat. A loop of consistent consciousness, a thread unbroken by the passing moments of the day-single beads strung together to create a life from unexpected moments.

Many times I have driven by this particular old structure and wanted to stop and photograph it’s tribute to time gone past. It has haunted my thoughts and brought about puzzlement in relationship to it’s strange shape looming against the sky.

Chillingly quiet beauty-

Have a seat-

Days of Heaven-

The grittiness of age and neglect meets the vibrancy of nature and that haunting feeling of the change of season-fiery and yet a hint of the lush and replenished-in this quite darkness of the earth tucking in for the winter.

I have been listening to the new album Ceremonials from the artist Florance + the Machine. The entire collection of songs brings up images associated with epic-ness. But also a bit of the reflective and melancholic. Her work inspires me greatly, and brings up the need to sit quietly with my interior and observe what comes next.

I have a few quotes to share from Florance that captivated me and brought about this unfolding of imagery. I feel that her words flow along with a feeling, or a landscape of the otherworldly, extraordinary vision and colour painted with every line.

October is the golden month of San Francisco, full stop. People don’t always seem to know this, but it is a beautiful little secret about the city. I had the pleasure of soaking in a bit of quite and sunny pleasure in the Yerba Buena Gardens a few weeks ago. Over a cup of tea I watched people wander by. Suddenly a young woman hopped up on to the ledge in front of my seat, and took a few quick pics. With lightening speed, I reached for my own camera, and fired off a few shots….this image of another person taking an image made me wonder.

What’s Your Angle?

I love the feeling of this young woman. She embodies movement and agility. With rucksack, and boats to conquer all, she made me feel ready to take on anything, photograph everything. Spontaneous and daring, this soul was like that of a bird in flight. Stilled only at the opportunity of capturing a moment…I can relate. We all have such interesting ways of seeing, perceiving, and digesting what we witness, day to day. So no matter the subject of interest, there will always be a 360 degree view of the object in focus.

Do you remember that pivotal moment in childhood when you learned to stand up on your own? Was it on a wave, riding a bike, or hanging from monkey bars at the park? The beauty of this awakening into yourself is one of pure joy and satisfaction, with a knife edge of the unknown. It is the experience of being human, of reaching precipices throughout life, and finding something else shocking, exciting, and even a bit scary behind each door-or perhaps window.

Ill never forget my first bike ride, sans training wheels, the feeling of the wind in my hair and the danger of being completely free…until I went over. But it was well worth it, in my seven year old mind. The gravel in my knees was a form of street cred, and vindication at my new found ability.Who was this small person, able to conquer the moment and take flight?

With the world turning upside down, and revolution ripe in the streets of almost every major city in the United States, I have come to a moment of contemplation. Is this the moment when we will as a human race, global community, and social society stand up together, united by this freedom of being airborne? No matter the position of an individual on the details of identity-it would appear to be of the most importance to find a way through global crisis, together. Can the training wheels come off now, I ask myself each morning. What happens next, in my life, or to the person next to me?

All I can say for my experience in this moment, is occupy your heart. Taking sides, drawing lines in the sand, will not necessarily help you or anyone else in the world. But remember, in these frail moments of self preservation and fear, that every single human being desires the joy of riding a wave by themselves, but needs a helping hand to get there. To be happy, this is the root from which all fruit springs. Can you offer that to yourself and to the equally hungry person next to you?

Below are a few images that brought a smile to my lips and a belly laugh into my heart. This wee one is learning how to stand up on a board with a sturdy father in tow-This moment is precious, and shapes the future. It is the goal to stand on a board by yourself, but don’t forget the beauty of being part of the standing process.

Surfs up my friends, how are you going to ride the wave?

A warm thanks to the family above for permission to post these images.